push my mind around as if it's warming up your hand

[blindsider]

[ Ignis has been thinking.

In general, he's very happy. With Noctis, in particular. They've fallen into something sweetly familiar, and he cherishes the ease with which they can just be together – sharing a meal, or curled aganst each other on the couch while Astra does her best to interrupt their respective study, or (especially) when they're intimate. It's not what he'd call predictable, which implies something dull and staid, but it's warm and wonderful and easy as breathing.

There is one thing, however, that is definitely predictable, and it bothers him.

Noctis is – obviously – the single most gorgeous thing Ignis has ever laid eyes on. Not because of his features (splendid though they may be), but because of the light of expression that moves in him. It doesn't seem like so very long ago that Noctis was sullen and withdrawn, hiding so much of himself behind a facade of detachment, and seeing Noctis relaxed, or animated, or flushed with pleasure has an effect on Ignis that he couldn't have predicted back when his affections seemed like something to be carefully ignored. It fills him with warmth to see Noctis unfurling in his presence, to know that he feels safe enough to be unguarded. To be himself. It makes him almost heartbreakingly beautiful.

And if he ever tells Noctis as much, he's rebuffed with the predictability of a thrown stone falling back to earth.

It is not, perhaps, the best plan he's ever had. Still, there's the desire there to show him. The belief that if only Noctis could see what he sees, he'd understand. And Noctis has always been more receptive when he's getting something he wants. To Ignis' great joy, what he wants is often Ignis. So that is how the idea forms: He purchases a very large mirror, and moves it into Noct's apartment while the prince is out. Into his bedroom, specifically; directly opposite the bed. Noctis is generally pleasingly open to new things, and unlikely to take a lot of convincing on the matter. Then Ignis' role is simple. He'll bring Noctis to that point he so loves to see, flushed and wanton and beautiful, and let him see too. If the whole process fails to convince him, then at least they'll have enjoyed themselves getting there.

And if he's 75% certain Noctis will insist on having the mirror removed after the fact, well. That's a problem for tomorrow's Ignis. For now he's sitting on the end of Noct's bed, dressed in clothes he knows Noctis enjoys both the look and feel of (and with buttons he's prepared to take sole responsibility for), and sending one very simple text message. ]

I'm in your bedroom.

Comments

[linkstrike]

Has anyone ever told you that you're the world's best boyfriend?

[ bumping his forehead up gently against ignis', in the same affectionate way as a housecat. ] I'm getting you a trophy.

[blindsider]

Unnecessary.

[ Although being called the world's best boyfriend gives him a pleased little glow that makes him want to live up to it, so he scoots back up the bed and pulls Noctis with him when he lays down, draping the younger man's body over his own in a clear invitation to nap on him. ]

I already have all the reward I could possibly want.

[linkstrike]

[ and he's more than happy to cuddle right up to him, even though they're both sticky and gross and in desperate need of a shower. but being close is the obvious priority -- he feels happy and warm and loved, and that feeling is radiating through him in sleepy waves of comfort. ]

Didn't know you scored a lifetime supply of Ebony. [ teasing, bumping his head underneath ignis' chin. ] Congrats, Specs.

[blindsider]

[ For his part, Ignis is perfectly happy to stay right where he is, stinking gently until Noctis decides it's time to move. He has to admit that Noct's good for him; even as a child he was fussy, though being uptight came a lot later. Noctis helps him let go of those tenser personality quirks. He can lay here, sweaty and messy, and enjoy their close affection rather than fussing about getting into the shower and changing the bedding. Time for all of that later. For now he's perfectly content to stroke his fingers through Noct's hair and enjoy the afterglow, the gentle weight of his body.

It does not, however, escape his notice that Noctis has just dodged another compliment. He smiles, though it's not at the joke. Perhaps the mirror needs to stay a while longer. ]